By Wendy Mkandawire
Tributes are still pouring on the death of renowned broadcaster Brian Banda who was until his death Director general of Malawi Broadcasting Cooperation.
Speaking in an interview, social commentator Francis Liat phiri said the death of Brian Banda is a great loss to the nation as well as the media fraternity.
President Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika described Banda as “a patriot, a distinguished media icon, and a dedicated public servant whose voice and vision resonated in homes across Malawi for decades.”
In a condolence message released by State House, President Mutharika and the First Lady said they were “deeply saddened” by the sudden passing of Banda, who was appointed MBC Director General in March 2026.
Former President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera called Banda “a towering figure in Malawi’s media landscape” and “an exceptional broadcaster to whom Malawians turned for a voice of clarity and truth.”
In a statement released on 9th August 2026 by spokesperson Gift Nankhuni, Chakwera said Banda was a “media guru” who mentored and inspired an entire generation of journalists and broadcasters.
He noted that Banda modeled the use of a distinct voice to “embody public opinion and speak truth to power.”
Chakwera extended condolences to Banda’s wife, children, family, friends, and fans, saying he joins all Malawians in mourning.
Similarly, the Media Council of Malawi (MCM) also expressed shock, describing Banda’s death as “a staggering loss not only to his family and colleagues at MBC but to the entire media landscape of Malawi.”
In a statement dated August 8, 2026, MCM Executive Director Moses Kaufa said Banda had an illustrious career spanning independent journalism and broadcasting, with “an unwavering commitment to public service broadcasting.”
MCM added that Banda was widely recognized for his distinctive interviewing style, “which combined courageous questioning with humor and an engaging personality.
Social commentator Francis Liyati Phiri described Banda’s death as “a great loss to the nation as well as the media fraternity,” citing his passion and dedication to media work.
Liyati said Banda was one of the country’s renowned journalists who dedicated his life to serving Malawi and appealed to media practitioners to emulate his character and commitment to the profession.
Political parties, including AFORD, UTM, and Odya Zake Alibe Mlandu, have also expressed shock and sent condolences to the Banda family and the media fraternity.
Born in 1980, Brian Banda served as press secretary for former president Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, worked at Capital FM and Times Group, and was recently appointed director general of the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC).
